Question 1

What is seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor spreading is the process where new ocean floor is created when lava comes out from under the sea. This new lava makes the ocean floor bigger over time.

Question 2

Where does seafloor spreading happen?

Accepted Answer

It happens in the ocean at places called mid-ocean ridges. These are long, underwater mountain ranges where new ocean floor is born.

Question 3

Why is seafloor spreading important?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor spreading helps make the planet's surface change over time. It helps scientists understand how continents and oceans have moved and changed.

Question 4

How does new ocean floor get created?

Accepted Answer

New ocean floor forms when hot lava from deep inside the Earth comes out through cracks in the ocean floor. The lava cools down and becomes solid rock, forming new seafloor.

Question 5

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Accepted Answer

A mid-ocean ridge is like a giant, underwater mountain chain. It's where seafloor spreading happens and new ocean rock is formed.

Question 6

What are tectonic plates?

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates are like big pieces of a puzzle that cover the Earth's surface. They are huge slabs of rock that move slowly over time.

Question 7

How do tectonic plates relate to seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates are always moving, and seafloor spreading is what happens when some of these plates pull apart. This movement creates room for new ocean floor to form.

Question 8

What happens to the old ocean floor?

Accepted Answer

Old ocean floor eventually moves to other parts of the ocean and gets pushed underneath continents. This process is called subduction, which recycles the ocean floor back into the Earth.

Question 9

How fast does the seafloor spread?

Accepted Answer

The seafloor spreads at different speeds. It can be as slow as your fingernails growing, or a little faster, like a few centimeters a year.

Question 10

What do scientists use to study seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

Scientists use special tools like submarines and satellites to look at the ocean floor. They also study rocks and measure magnetic signals to learn how the seafloor has moved over time.

Question 11

Who discovered seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

A scientist named Harry Hess came up with the idea of seafloor spreading in the 1960s. His work helped us understand how the Earth's surface changes over time.

Question 12

What is magma?

Accepted Answer

Magma is super hot, melted rock that comes from deep inside the Earth. When it escapes through cracks on the ocean floor, it cools down and turns into new seafloor rock.

Question 13

What is a volcanic eruption under the sea?

Accepted Answer

A volcanic eruption under the sea is when magma explodes from openings in the ocean floor. This is part of how new seafloor is created.

Question 14

Why do scientists study seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study seafloor spreading to learn more about earthquakes, volcanoes, and how the Earth changes over time. It's also important for understanding theories like plate tectonics.

Question 15

Can seafloor spreading cause earthquakes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, seafloor spreading can cause earthquakes. When tectonic plates move, they can sometimes get stuck and then suddenly move, shaking the ground.

Question 16

What is a rift valley?

Accepted Answer

A rift valley is a low area between two high areas, usually seen at mid-ocean ridges. It forms when Earth's crust pulls apart and spreads.

Question 17

How does seafloor spreading affect the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor spreading makes the ocean bigger by creating new floor. It also recycles old ocean floor into the Earth, keeping the planet balanced.

Question 18

What are ocean trenches?

Accepted Answer

Ocean trenches are deep valleys at the bottom of the ocean where old seafloor is pushed back into the Earth. This happens at the edges of tectonic plates.

Question 19

What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?

Accepted Answer

Oceanic crust is the rock under the ocean, while continental crust is the rock that makes up land. Oceanic crust is thinner and denser than continental crust.

Question 20

How does seafloor spreading support the theory of plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Seafloor spreading shows how tectonic plates move apart and create new surfaces on Earth. This is a big part of the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how Earth's surface changes over time.

The Science of Seafloor Spreading - 20 FAQs Explained Simply